Massimiliano Allegri has been sacked by Milan, the club have confirmed. The 46-year-old manager was already leaving the club at the end of the season, but was told to go earlier in the wake of Sunday's 4-3 loss to minnows Sassuolo. Allegri's departure brings to an end his three-and-a-half-year stay with the Rossoneri, with the highlight being their 2011 Serie A win.

"Milan wish to communicate that Massimiliano Allegri and his staff have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect," read a club statement. "Milan would like to thank Mr Allegri and his staff for the work done and their best professional achievements."

The short release added that assistant coach Mauro Tassotti would take control, although he is expected to soon be replaced by a permanent manager. Filippo Inzaghi, the 40-year-old former Italy and Milan striker, currently coaching the club's Primavera (Under-19) side is the favourite to take charge.

The loss to Sassuolo proved to be the final straw for Milan's hierarchy, with Allegri undone by one of his former clubs. That loss alone was not the trigger, though, with Milan woefully off the pace in Serie A. They are 30 points behind leaders Juventus and are just six points clear of the relegation zone.

Allegri leaves San Siro with league finishes of first, second and third, with the Supercopa added to his 2011 title win, and they are still in the Champions League, facing Atlético Madrid in the last 16 on 19 February.

In a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Allegri admitted he had spent his "last Christmas" as coach of the Rossoneri. "I have eaten panettone here once again and to be honest I had no doubt that I would," he said, referring to the constant speculation about his future since early this season. "I don't know who will be the next coach and it's not really my problem."